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Jane Eyre Chapters 34-38: A Happy Ending

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Jane Eyre Chapters 34-38: A Happy Ending

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In a lot of the past reading that I've done for my english classes, I rarely get to experience a truly happy ending for each and every character. Finishing Jane Eyre was quite honestly a mood booster, and I loved the way that Charlotte Bronte decided to conclude her novel.

Out of everything that was resolved in the last chapter, my favorite aspect had to be the immense growth that Jane had shown. In the end, she didn't submit herself to an unhappy and loveless marriage with St. John, but instead pursued the path that would bring her the most joy and well-being. Even though marrying St. John may have been the easy path, Jane has truly learned to follow her heart. She has independence but has still kept up her good morality, and I think that's a really inspiring message to come out of Jane Eyre.

Jane and Rochester's relationship reminded me of one of my favorite songs at the moment, "Me & You Together Song" by the 1975. This song talks about a man who is deeply in love with a woman, but things keep getting in the way of them together. I thought of how Bertha was the factor separating Jane and Rochester, and, much like the song, Rochester was "in love with [Jane] for ages."

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The 1975 - Me & You Together Song (Lyrics)

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The fire and wreckage at Thornfield holds a lot of significance within the story of Jane Eyre. For one, the fire is a symbol of consequence and fiery. Bertha was Rochester's deepest and darkest secret, and it's quite perfect in a way that she is the one to set the place ablaze. She first sets fire to Jane's old bed, which is a symbol for the jealousy she felt within the sexual relationship between Jane and Rochester. Bertha held so much power by just merely existing, and the fire was her final blow.

In a way, Rochester is being punished for everything wrong that he has done, and he must face the consequences of his actions in the forms of the injuries that he sustains.

“Thornfield Hall is quite a ruin; it was burned down just about harvest time. A dreadful calamity! such an immense quantity of valuable property destroyed; hardly any other furniture could be saved. The fire broke out at dead of night, and before the engines arrived from Millcote, the building was one mass of flame. It was a terrible spectacle; I witnessed it myself.”

As Bertha flings herself off the roof, Rochester lets go of everything that has burdened his life. Many of his problems have been caused by Bertha, and now it is all over. Along with this, Jane is forced to leave behind some of the bitter memories that she left at Thornfield. From leaving the love of her life to her first "real" home, Thornfield was a touchy subject for Jane, and now she has no choice but to leave it behind.

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Jane Eyre Chapters 27-33 3/16: The Parallels Between Blanche Ingram and Rosamond Oliver

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Jane Eyre Chapters 27-33 3/16: The Parallels Between Blanche Ingram and Rosamond Oliver

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In chapters 27-33, we are introduced to a plethora of new characters as Jane flees Thornfield Hall and meets her new and accepting family at Marsh End. Some of these people include the ambitious and kind-hearted St. John Rivers, the caring and intelligent Diana and Mary Rivers, and the wealthy and beautiful Rosamond Oliver. Upon reading about Rosamond, I instantly noticed some similarities between her and Blanche Ingram. For one, they were both the gorgeous love interest of an unmarried man whom Jane is close to. They both seem rather shallow and surface-level, characterized by their interest in a man. And, most notably, both Rochester and St. John Rivers are reluctant to marry these women, although for very different reasons. When Jane confronts St. John and tells him to marry Rosamond, it's clear he has his intentions in mind.

“While something in me,” he went on, “is acutely sensible to her charms, something else is as deeply impressed with her defects; they are such that she could sympathize in nothing I aspired to; cooperate in nothing I undertook. Rosamond a sufferer, a laborer, a female apostle? Rosamond a missionary’s wife? No!”

I was pretty relieved when St. John revealed this, for at least the relationships between characters weren't just a carbon copy of everything that happened at Thornfield. St. John wanted someone practical in his life, and the parallels between Blanche and Rosamond end here. While Blanche was seeking fortune, Rosamond already had one. I thought it was interesting how these characters were similar in so many ways yet so very different in their intentions and mindsets, and I'm interested to see how Rosamond and St. John River's relationship will play out.

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I believe that Jane's departure from Thornfield is one of the most important things that has happened in the novel thus far, and it really shows how far she has come as a character and the ways in which she has grown. Jane showed that she would no longer be complacent, and she proves the strength and endurance that is in her as she spends multiple days outdoors, cold and hungry, all in the hopes to escape a future prison. She knows that staying with Rochester would cause too much of an emotional toll on her, so she has to leave while she can. I think that's really admirable of Jane.

As I discussed in some of my earlier blogs, I think there are points in the novel at which Jane fails in feminism. But, here is a moment of a woman who has grown to be strong and independent, and she knows that no man, especially a lying one, will leave her satisfied and content. She doesn't need his support, and she most certainly does not need his love. I think that Jane most definitely dodged a bullet here.

I really liked how this art depicted the rocky relationship of Jane and Rochester. He's kind of holding her down and Jane appears to be distraught and upset. Much of the art surrounding them tends to romanticize their relationship, but it was most certainly far from perfect. It looks like she is actively fleeting, and the expression in her eyes tells us that she knows it is the right thing to do.

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Jane Eyre Chapters 20-26 3/5: A Lightning Strike

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Jane Eyre Chapters 20-26 3/5: A Lightning Strike

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In Gothic literature, bad weather is commonly used to foreshadow negative events in a character's life.  This weather could be in the form of rain, clouds, a storm, or really anything moody. Although this theme is prevalent throughout much of Jane Eyre, I think it has its most significant moment within these chapters.  The night where Rochester confesses that he wants to marry Jane, a lighting strikes the tree that they were sitting under. As Jane looks at the battered tree, it can only be assumed that it is a bad omen.

"I faced the wreck of the chestnut-tree; it stood up black and riven: the trunk, split down the centre, gasped ghastly. The cloven halves were not broken from each other, for the firm base and strong roots kept them unsundered below"

The significance of the bad weather is revealed when Jane and Rochester's wedding day is a complete disaster. During their reception, the truth comes forward about Rochester's crazy first wife, Bertha. It couldn't really get much worse than that. In a strange way, I did enjoy this foreshadowing technique that Bronte implemented in her work. Sure. it could have been a bit more subtle, but I don't really think that's what Bronte was going for. Jane continually circled back to her bad feelings about the wedding, and I don't think it could have been more obvious that this wedding was not going to work out. That would just be too easy, and that's not what modern literature is about.

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In these chapters, Jane continues to bring up her strange dreams, much of which involve children. When you dream of infants, it's said that bad things are to come in your future. While this most definitely came true in Jane's life, I'd also like to think it symbolizes her failures and defeats when she drops the child in her dream. I think we're going to see more of Jane dreaming in the next coming chapters, continuing to foreshadow the events that come in her life.
I've always been fairly fascinated with dreams, and right after I have a vivid one there's a few things that I always try to do. First, I write down exactly what happened as soon as I wake up. I forget my dreams super fast, and I don't even know how Jane remembers all of them because I sure would not have if I was in her shoes. Next, I like to look up the meaning of what happened. You'd be surprised at how many answers there are for oddly specific things that happen while dreaming. Sometimes it's not the meaning I hoped for, but at least I have this odd occurrence written in my notes app or scribbled in a notebook. I'd like to think that maybe one day I'll be like Jane, and this dream I had will actually have foreshadowed something in my life. While I'm waiting for that to happen, I linked an article on some common dream interpretations, so maybe you can channel your inner Jane Eyre as well.

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Humans have always tried to interpret their dreams. From ancient wives' tales to complex theories, the ways people analyze them continue to evolve.

Assigning certain meanings to dreams has gained traction in pop culture as both a source of entertainment and self-reflection. However, does anyone really know what dreams mean?

Some people may say that dreams are a way for your brain to process thoughts and feelings, but no one fully understands their purpose. To explore the possibilities, we've collected information on 15 of the most common themes and what they are said to mean.

1. Dreams About Being Chased

Dreams about being chased are extremely common. In these dreams, you may not know exactly what or who is chasing you. You may also feel like you can't run fast or that trying to run faster results in you actually slowing down.

Dream interpreters often interpret these dreams as you attempting to avoid something in your life, or that you want to escape from fears or unwanted desires.

If you're able to identify what or who is chasing you, that can further explain your dream. For example, a dream about being chased by a potential love interest could mean that you're afraid of romance or a new relationship.

2. Dreams About Falling

3. Dreams About Being Naked

If you've ever had a dream in which you showed up to school, work or somewhere else public in your birthday suit, you're not alone. It's normal to fear societal embarrassment, which is what these dreams typically symbolize.

Dreams about being naked in public can also mean that you're worried about your appearance or that you're trying to hide something from others.

4. Dreams About Flying

5. Dreams About Teeth Falling Out

People quite commonly have dreams about teeth - either that they're falling out or that they're loose and wiggling. There are also dreams where people suddenly have no teeth. If you've experienced this, don't be afraid.

This is likely your brain's way of coping with a situation in which you feel powerless, embarrassed or unable to communicate. These types of dreams could also indicate that you're worried about your personal appearance or that you may have said something embarrassing.

6. Dreams About Death and Dying

7. Dreams About Taking a Test

8. Dreams About Pregnancy

9. Dreams About Water

If water is present in your dreams, this could be a sign that you feel overwhelmed or unsupported by the people around you. It could also signify feelings of freedom or peace.

To determine what the dream symbolizes, think about your feelings toward water. If they are positive, water in a dream will likely manifest as something good. If you are afraid of water or something similar, it will symbolize something more negative.

Also think about the kind of water present - was it a deep, turbulent ocean or a calm, babbling brook? Since dreams are so subjective, water can manifest in a lot of different ways.

10. Dreams About Infidelity

11. Dreams About Food

12. Dreams Where You Can't Move

13. Dreams Where You Can't Speak

14. Dreams About Animals

15. Recurring Dreams

Do Our Dreams Really Mean Anything?

The jury is still out on whether or not dream interpretations are accurate. However, many famous psychologists had theories on why we dream. They also had suggestions for dream interpretation and processes in which they believed people can better understand their dreams.

Freud
In Sigmund Freud's book "The Interpretation of Dreams," he theorized that dreams are related to wish fulfillment. He wrote that subconscious desires are hidden behind the actual imagery in our dreams. According to Freud, the dreamer can decipher these by reverse-engineering the "dream-work" their brains have done to help them figure out and process emotions and desires.

Jung
Carl Jung had a slightly different approach to deciphering dreams. He thought that dreams reveal both thoughts from the collective unconscious and personal beliefs. He also believed that these thoughts are often portrayed as symbols and archetypes such as the hero, the mother and the wise old man.

Unlike Freud, Jung wrote that dreams are highly personal and that only those very close to the dreamer could decipher them.

Hall
Calvin Hall interpreted dreams as a way in which the brain conceptualizes elements of our waking lives. He would examine the dreamer's actions, the interactions within the dream and the objects or symbols present when trying to interpret them.

He would also look at the setting. He believed that by understanding what these elements meant and why they were portrayed a certain way, he could understand the dreamer.

Tips for Remembering Your Dreams

The first step to interpreting your dreams is to remember them. However, many people find that they can't recall dreams once they wake up. There are a few ways people claim they can train their brains to remember dreams.

Keep a Dream Diary: People who write down their dreams right when they wake up tend to eventually remember them more vividly. Even if you only remember small aspects or fleeting images, it's important to record them. Over time, you might see patterns.

Train Your Brain: Before you fall asleep each night, try to remind yourself to remember your dreams. Let it be your last thought as you're drifting off. Right when you wake up, try to recall your dreams, even if it's just a feeling. Over time, this can help you remember more accurately.

Wake Up Without an Alarm: Since your dreams are already fading from memory when you wake, any large distraction is sure to absorb your mind's focus. This is why it's best to wake up naturally to allow your brain time to focus on remembering the dream.

Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: These substances can inhibit REM sleep, which is when your brain does the bulk of its dreaming.

Follow a Regular Sleep Schedule: Since you experience most of your dreams in the REM stage, you'll want to ensure you're getting enough REM sleep. To do this, sleep for at least seven hours every night and stick to a consistent sleep schedule.

Now that you know all about what dreams mean and why we have them, it's time to start interpreting your own! They can be a valuable resource for self-reflection, introspection and fun.

Remember, the first step to remembering your dreams is getting a good night's sleep, and to do that you'll need comfortable bedding and a cozy sleeping environment. Try an award-winning Casper mattress and feel the difference!

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What Do Dreams Mean? 15 Common Dream Interpretations | Casper Blog

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Humans have always tried to interpret their dreams. From ancient wives' tales to complex theories, the ways people analyze them continue to evolve. Assigning certain meanings to dreams has gained traction in pop culture as both a source of entertainment and self-reflection. However, does anyone really know what dreams mean?

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Jane Eyre Chapters 10-19 2/22: Jane's Failure in Feminism

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Jane Eyre Chapters 10-19 2/22: Jane's Failure in Feminism

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On the surface, Blanche Ingram is everything that Jane wishes she was. She's beautiful, elegant, and, most importantly, in the eyes of Rochester. Jane shows her signs of insecurity when she hears of Ingram, comparing her own self-portrait to a portrait she has drawn of Ingram. This really surprised me because it seemed to go against all of the feminist ideas that Jane had just been fighting for. Although she believes in certain feminist ideas, she struggles with the idea of female conformity within herself. She's insecure in the way she looks, as if it isn't "feminine" enough. She's living to please men, which I just think goes against all ideas of feminism. Within her insecurities, she also puts down Igram because of her shallow personality.

Miss Ingram was a mark beneath jealousy; she was too inferior to excite the feeling…She was very showy, but she was not genuine. She had a fine person, many brilliant attainments; but her mind was poor, her heart barren by nature…She was not good, she was not original…Tenderness and truth were not in her…Other eyes besides mine watched these manifestations of character…Yes, the future bride-groom, Mr. Rochester himself, exercised over his intended a ceaseless surveillance; and it was from this sagacity…this obvious absence of passion in his sentiments toward her, that my ever-torturing pain arose.

Although Jane makes it apparent that she's an advocate for female equality, I think she needs to apply these ideas to herself first. Jane just needs to practice what she preaches here, because she had previously made it evident that she believes women should have the same opportunities as men because of the boredom she felt sitting around at Thornfield all day. But, you can't reach equality if you place yourself above or below other women, nor if you feel the need to live for the very people causing your oppression.

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Out of everything that happened within these 10 chapters, Rochester revealing himself as the Gypsy had to be the strangest thing that occurred. Moving past the fact that a grown man somehow disguised himself as a woman to several people he knew very well and got away with it, I thought this arch was a very strange move on Bronte's part. There could have been a lot of other ways that Rochester revealed the truth about his wealth or his feelings for Jane, but it was done in this very odd manner. But, with everything I've learned about Bronte's writing style so far, I know that everything happens for a reason. Every name and character is a symbol, and I think the disguised gypsy furthers the supernatural theme that Bronte follows throughout the novel. He somehow knows the secrets of every woman he encounters, and he manages to dig deep into Jane's heart and feelings. In the past, anything mildly supernatural has taken sharp tolls on Jane, from her uncle's spirit to her first encounter with Rochester. This gypsy disguise is no exception, and it feels like Rochester has secret powers that will no doubt have huge effects on Jane.

Continuing with symbolism, I thought it was important to note Rochester's red robes. Compared to the connotation of red as seen in the red room, the meaning has completely flipped. What used to be a sign of fear and anger has now turned into feelings of passion. At Thornfield, the color red is no longer used to torment Jane, and instead brings her feelings she has so longed for.

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As I first began to dig into the world of Jane Eyre, I found myself quickly falling in love with Jane's dialogue. In between long-drawn sentences and fervent descriptions, Jane's sassy yet mature conversations with other characters were kind of a gentle reminder of her youthful nature. In between her speeches it felt like there was an older version of Jane speaking for this young character. The words just felt too long and the insight just felt too deep for it to come out of a ten-year old. No matter all the books she read and the experiences she had gone through, no young child is truly that reflective on the life around them.

In fact, Jane's conversations had me further thinking about how a young child's brain develops, and how the situations that they go through young can drastically change their personality and demeanor. From having her parents die at such a young age to being psychologically tormented by her caregivers, there is just no way that Jane wouldn't grow up with lasting trauma. In the few times she lashes out, she is passionate and strong-willed, and there's just so much behind her head as we see Jane grow up.

I decided to include a video on how a child's brain is built through the experiences they face at a young age. Although I know that realistically Charlotte Bronte wouldn't have done or even had access to this much research, it's interesting to find this hypothetical world in which Jane Eyre was a real person.

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How a child's brain develops through early experiences

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Within the first few chapters of Jane Eyre, there weren't many moments where I was like "awwww." Everything was more like an "ah-" if you will. But, before Jane leaves to go to her new school, she has this really sweet moment with Bessie. Jane is reminded just for a second that there are people out there that love her, and I was just really fond of this interaction between the two.

“I’ll kiss you and welcome; bend your head down.” Bessie stooped; we mutually embraced, and I followed her into the house quite comforted. That afternoon lapsed in peach and harmony; and in the evening Bessie told me some of her most enchaining stories, and sung me some of her sweetest songs. Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.

At times, Bessie was harsh on Jane. Jane even acknowledges this, but Bessie assures her that she is one of the favorite Reed children. Bessie often times sang Jane solemn but heartfelt songs, and I loved seeing this little parallel take place as Jane says her final goodbyes.

One of the reasons this passage stuck out to me so much was I felt like I resonated with Jane for a second. Sometimes it's easy to feel like everyone hates you (which was actually partially true in Jane's case unfortunately), but there's always someone out there looking out for you. It can be the people we least expect, or the people who sometimes don't make it apparent how much they care. Either way, this little passage was a gentle reminder of the good things in the world, and how there is always a light to be found somewhere.